Robb Report Australia

An Aussie winemaker was just named the world's best for the fourth time

Hunter Valley stalwart McGuigan Wines has won the title of world’s best winemaker for a record-breaking fourth time at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) awards dinner in London this week.

McGuigan has previously won the award in 2009, 2011 and 2012 and becomes the first winemaker in the world to collect the trophy four times, alongside a swag of other silverware.

It was named Australian Wine Producer of the Year - also for a record-breaking fourth time - from a quality field that included finalists Stanton & Killeen, Hardy’s, All Saints Estate, and Bird In Hand.

In addition, the Pokolbin winemaker was lauded for producing the world’s best semillon - for the sixth consecutive year - for its 2003 McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon, and the world’s best shiraz/syrah for its 2007 McGuigan Hand Made Shiraz.

Other Australian wine and spirits makers to be awarded trophies at IWSC from a global field included Victoria’s All Saints Estate, which was adjudged to produce the world’s best fortified wine (All Saints Estate Classic Rutherglen Muscat NV). Sydney distillery Archie Rose was recognised for having the best packaging design across its gin, vodka and whisky offerings.

“Every time an Australian wine or producer is acknowledged at an international wine competition it puts our products on the map and forces people to sit up and take notice,” he says.

“Every day you need to have the ambition to craft beautiful, quality wine and make it the hero. This award - and our trophies - is vindication and recognition of this vision.

“We have a long-standing association with Hunter Valley Semillon, and we’re incredibly proud of it, but we’re now gaining recognition for our super-premium reds thanks to their incredible flavour, lightness, elegance and longevity – which is something I’ve championed for years.”

The 2003 McGuigan BIN 9000 Semillon and the 2007 McGuigan Handmade Shiraz are available in limited quantities at the McGuigan cellar door in the Hunter Valley.